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To set one's teeth on edge

Posted by Brekke on February 23, 2003

In Reply to: To set one's teeth on edge posted by R. Berg on February 23, 2003

: : I think I understand the meaning of this expression but what does it refer to. Here's a sentence. Mildred's singing set his teeth on edge.

: I construe it as meaning to cause one to make, literally or figuratively, an "Eww, yuck!" grimace in which, in particular, the tips of the upper and lower incisors meet--a pickle face. The Bible has "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (approx. wording, from memory).

Almost exact wording, from memory, apparently ...Ezekiel 18:2 (New International Version) "The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." Even there, it is cited as a proverb, so who knows where it began?

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